Understanding muscle atrophy in aging and its effects on voice
Official title: Advancing Voice Research in a Rat Model: Investigating the Impact of Fiber Type Composition and Underlying Mechanisms of Atrophy in Rat Thyroarytenoid and Skeletal Muscles
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11064075 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how getting older affects a specific muscle important for voice production, using rats to understand why some people may have voice problems as they age, with the goal of finding better treatments for those affected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $211,875 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DC021796-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11064075 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing voice changes or disorders related to muscle atrophy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing voice issues or muscle atrophy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how aging affects muscle atrophy, particularly in the thyroarytenoid muscle, which is crucial for voice production. Using a rat model, the study aims to explore the differences in muscle fiber composition and the underlying mechanisms that lead to atrophy. By examining these factors, researchers hope to gain insights into the causes of voice disorders associated with aging. The findings could help develop better treatments for individuals experiencing voice issues due to muscle atrophy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for voice disorders caused by muscle atrophy in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding muscle atrophy in other contexts, but this specific approach using a rat model for vocal fold atrophy is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gartling, Gary J — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Gartling, Gary J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.